by Ralph Nichols
After more than two months of anticipation, of driving past Burien Nissan at Five Corners and looking for new cars on display there once again, the news this week is disappointing.
Burien Nissan will not reopen after all – at least not anytime soon. The return of the auto dealership with a new owner – Car Pros – had been expected earlier to take place in mid-September.
“We were excited” about reopening Burien Nissan, Ken Phillips, president of Car Pros, told The B-Town Blog recently. “We had everything in line. Our financing package was all done. But the sellers couldn’t provide quick title to the property and we couldn’t close in time.”
He said the problem involved only closing the proposed sale and “had absolutely nothing to do with the national economy.
“If circumstances change, we would be available to relook at the whole process,” Phillips added. “We lived for 30 years in Normandy Park. All our friends are right there. That’s our home. We know a lot of people there.”
The previous dealership owner, Rainier Automotive Group, saw the entire inventory reclaimed by Nissan in a 24-hour period in March after losing its financing. The business closed its doors less than two months later, reportedly when new financing couldn’t be arranged.
Car Pros owns Kia and Suzuki dealerships in Tacoma and a Hyundai dealership in Seattle, and dealerships in Carson, Calif. Phillips said they had planned to sell Nissan models exclusively at Burien Nissan.
The return of Burien Nissan at 16042 First Avenue South, which closed for business in May, is anticipated in mid-September.
“We understand it’s going to be a Nissan agency, just like it was before,” Dick Loman, economic development manager for the City of Burien, said Wednesday (Sept. 2nd). “We don’t know when they will open, but anticipate it will be soon. We probably will know more by the end of the long weekend.”
Other sources indicated that the dealership will open its doors again in mid-month.
A job ad posted August 31 on Craigslist (see our previous breaking coverage here) solicited applications for all positions at Nissan dealerships “gearing up for mid-September opening.” The ad described the owner of these dealerships as “an award winning Puget Sound Automotive Dealer Group.” Applications could be emailed to Car Pros, and a job posting on the “CarProsJobs.com” website lists Burien as one of the locations hiring.
Car Pros owns Kia and Suzuki dealerships in Tacoma and a Hyundai dealership in Seattle, along with a dealership in Carson, CA. Bradley Wolf was listed in the ad as a Tacoma contact for Car Pros. Attempts by B-Town Blog to contact Wolf on Wednesday were not successful.
Weeds are growing like weeds at the empty Burien Nissan lot, which may be re-opening under new ownership soon.
Burien Nissan, which previously was owned by Rainier Automotive Group, lost its “flooring” (aka financing) and saw the entire inventory reclaimed by Nissan in a 24-hour period in March. The business closed its doors less than two months later, reportedly when new financing couldn’t be arranged.
Loman, however, said his office doesn’t know the “relationship between Car Pros and Nissan, if there is any.” But, he added, Burien Nissan seems to be preparing to interview and hire staff, and “that’s very good news for us, obviously.”
“It will be good to have another new car dealer in town selling automobiles. Not only will it create jobs that we lost (when Nissan closed in March) but sales tax income will be coming back to the city again. So we’re very pleased at what we hear.”
Loman noted the site – which had a $5 million remodel not long before the closure – is already set up for an automotive dealership, signage already is in place, and it’s unlikely that the dealership will need any new permits from the city.
- BREAKING: Might Burien Nissan Be Re-Opening Soon?
- BREAKING NEWS: Burien Nissan Is Now Officially Closed
- Burien Nissan Expecting New Financing In “A Few Weeks”
- UPDATE: More Information On Burien Nissan’s Inventory
- Burien Nissan Loses Entire Stock, Now An Empty Lot
Burien’s annual Father’s Day Car Show filled the streets of downtown B-Town with enough classic cars to satisfy even the finickiest Dad, and here’s a slideshow by Photographer Michael Brunk :
| Jul ’09 |
| 5 |
| 11:00 am |
Burien Chevrolet will be holding a special “All Chevy Cruise-In” on Sunday, July 5th from 11am to 4pm at their lot at 14400 First Ave South in Burien.
Here are the details:
WHAT: Burien Chevrolet “All Chevy Cruise-In”
WHEN: Sunday, July 5th from 11am to 4pm
WHERE: Burien Chevy’s lot at 14400 First Ave South in Burien
COST: FREE, with free food, giveaways, prizes and more.
INFO: This is also a fundraiser for the Des Moines Food Bank, so please bring food donations!
Burien will be one of ten areas in King County targeted by law enforcement for seatbelt violators starting Thursday night May 21st and continuing through June 7th.
The operation will be a cooperation between Burien Police and the Washington State Patrol, with assistance from the King County Traffic Safety Coalition.
According to the Washington Traffic Safety Commission, though the number of people killed at night is about the same as the number of people killed during the day, the death rate at night is four times higher because traffic volumes are much lower at night. Research shows that at least 80% of Washington traffic occurs during the day and between 12 and 20% of all vehicle travel takes place at night. The traffic death rate is a calculation of deaths per 100 million vehicle-miles traveled.
Research shows that over three-fourths of all traffic deaths involving drinking drivers occur at night. The drinking driver-involved death rate is about 13 times higher at night than during the day.
Drivers who are more likely to not wear seatbelts tend to be male, have less education, have prior traffic violations, and have no health insurance, according to a University of North Carolina study the commission cited.
The fine for a “Click-it or Ticket” violation is $124.
Here’s a video explaining this special patrol:
As we ring out the old year and drive into the new, we welcome The B-Town Blog’s latest Advertiser: Burien Honda!
They’ve been around Burien for 45 years and counting. In 1963, owner Jack Enderson opened a Honda Cycle dealership on SW 153rd and First Ave South, where “Mr. Auto” used to be (now Horizon Pets). He eventually added Triumph, BSA and Harley bikes to his inventory. In 1972, they needed more room and moved to their current location at 15026 First Avenue South.
This original 1970 N600 Honda has just 628 miles on it; its MSRP new was just $1,995!
Burien Honda was the first Honda Dealership in the Northwest and the 22nd dealer in the country. General Manager Mark Minium is proud to show off their 1970 N600 Honda that has 628 actual miles on it. This particular model boasts the ‘complete package,’ which includes a radio and heater and cost $1,995; without the ‘package’ it cost $1,795.
Since this time, we’ve seen many changes in Honda Automobiles. In addition to an international reputation for its high mileage, Honda is leading the automotive industry in the Green and Hybrid Movement in automotive efficiencies. “Green” cars include the FIT Hatchback, Civic Sedan and “Hybrids” include Civic, Insight and Accord. They also have all of Honda’s conventional models. On the horizon is the FCX Clarity – a hydrogen and electric car available right now in California – and the CRV Diesel SUV sold in Europe and Japan.
Twelve years ago, Burien Honda opened a body shop, making it the only full service Honda dealer in the Greater Seattle area. They work on any make or model of cars and deal with most insurance companies on repairs. Plus you’ll get a loaner when they work on your vehicle. And one great thing to know is that you’ll get a complimentary hand car wash when you come in for anything in their shop, including an express oil change!
Burien Honda in 1972.
Burien Honda’s current building, which includes a Body Shop.
As with many of our Burien Car Dealers, GM Mark Minium has been involved in the development of our community from sitting on economic boards to the planning and development of the Town Square, to First Avenue renovation and supporting of the arts in Burien. He also was recruited to be an auctioneer at Mick Kelly’s many successful fundraisers (including the fundraiser we co-sponsored for the fire victims which raised over $10,500!).
What’s next for Burien Honda?
“We need a bigger footprint” says Mark – this means more space. And: “we have high hopes for Burien as Town Square evolves.”
Plus right now they’ve got the best selection and lowest interest rates in three years.
So, click on Burien Honda’s Ad in the right sidebar, check out their latest models and low rates, and tell ‘em the B-Town Blog sent you!
View Larger Map
We at the at the B-Town Blog offer a horn-honking and ding and dent-free welcome to our newest Advertiser: Vision Collision Auto Body Repair!
They are located at 803 SW 154th Street, just west of Ambaum and a little south of Olde Burien.
Vision Collision is quite a family-based business, from longtime Burien area stock, on land that goes way, way back in the area of auto body repair.
Husband and wife team Michael and Amy Driscoll, recently purchased the former BBC Dodge Body Shop. There has been an auto body repair shop on that space going back many decades.
Robert scrubs yet another Vision Collision dent-free gem.
Doug McLester, who for thirty years served as BBC Dodge Body Shop Manager before retiring this past summer, recently said:
“Amy entered into the auto body industry right after high school and is thrilled to be working in her hometown doing what she loves! Michael has always had a passion for cars and has been restoring them since the age of fourteen. I have complete confidence that Amy and Michael will provide the quality service you have come to expect over the years.”
“From door dings to collisions, we fix it all,” Michael and Amy point out. “We help reduce stress by assisting with insurance claims, too.”
“And we offer detailing,” Amy adds.
Amy and Michael were born and raised in Burien and attended Highline High School.
“My mom, Cathy Low, and her whole family grew up in Seahurst,” Amy informs us. Cathy helps out now and again at Vision Collision’s office when Amy needs to run the occasional errand.
“And my uncle is none other than Jim Hughes of Sal’s Deli, just off 152nd. I worked there for years,” Amy said.
Lucy is Vision Collision's official mascot.
Amy and Michael’s Border Collie, Lucy, can often be seen running around the office.
“Lucy loves to come to work.”
Lucy isn’t the only pet in Amy and Michael’s household. On their land southeast of Burien “we also have two horses, three goats, and a cat.”
So anyway, we at the Blog think you’ll enjoy yourself so much at Vision Collision that, even if your vehicle is already ding-free, you should just take a hammer to your hood and bang it up a bit so you’ll have an excuse to stop by (uh…just kidding on that part, but stop by anyway!).
But seriously, click on Vision Collision’s Ad in the right sidebar, check out their stuff, call or drop by and see what they can do to fix your dinged and dented vehicle up.
Vision Collision Auto Body Repair
“See? You’re dent free!”
Service shop:
803 SW 154th St
Burien, WA 98166
Phone: (206) 244-2758
www.visioncollision.net
Email: info@visioncollision.net
Mail:
Vision Collision
PO Box 66110
Burien, WA 98166
| Jun ’08 |
| 28 |
| 4:00 pm |
If arts and music festivals aren’t your cup of strawberries, or you’re an autoholic (make that Audiholic) and you need to get your car fix, get your chassis over to the Annual Audi Expo.
This is the Northwest’s largest display of privately owned new and retro Audis, and it happens Saturday June 28th from 4pm to 10pm on SW 153rd in downtown Burien.
Two city blocks are closed to display stock and modified Audis from as far away as Alaska and California, plus many exciting product and service exhibitors, and, venue admission is FREE.
- ALL YOU CAN EAT for $12.50 courtesy of Bison Creek Pizza!
- FREE Giveaways and Great Door Prizes!
- “Best Of” Contest!
- High Visibility Reserved Parking for Privately Owned Audis For Sale!
- Music courtesy of the DADDY-O’S!
- Special Audi Expo Souvenirs to the First 200 Attendees!
If you are planning on bringing your Audi or registering, please RSVP here.
For full details and more info, go to http://www.audiexpo.com.
View Larger Map
| Mar ’08 |
| 2 |
| 3:00 am |
We here at the B-Town Blog are as sick and tired of these ding-dang traffic construction nightmares as you are, so we’re passing along this critical, headache-avoidance advisory:
Avoid driving I-5 Southbound near Southcenter this weekend!
Crews will conduct a rolling slowdown on southbound I-5 near S. 178th Street at 3 a.m. this Sunday morning, March 2nd to install the replacement bridge girder.
S. 178th Street over I-5 has been narrowed back to one lane of alternating traffic using a smart signal that detects traffic back-ups and automatically adjusts signal timing to ease congestion.
S. 178th Street over I-5 will also be completely closed Saturday night from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. the following morning.
On Dec. 13, 2006 a truck struck the S. 178th street overpass. The impact damaged a girder underneath the structure. Bridge inspectors found the bridge safe for drivers but decided to restrict traffic to prevent more damage to the girder.
Crews must replace the girder to return traffic to normal on this highly traveled overpass between Tukwila and SeaTac.
Crews will replace the damaged girder under the S. 178th street overpass. The bridge deck will also be repaired.
Completing repairs will return the overpass to normal capacity for drivers traveling between SeaTac and Tukwila.
Replacing the girder will ensure that the overpass remains safe for drivers on S. 178th and on I-5 in the future.
SOURCE:
